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TAIB FAMILY BUSINESS EXPOSE BY GLOBAL WITNESS

PRESS STATEMENT 20 MARCH 2012

TAIB FAMILY BUSINESS EXPOSE BY GLOBAL WITNESS

I am appalled, but sadly not surprised by the evidence revealed in the video released today on the website http://www.globalwitness.org/insideshadowstate/, which suggests evidently the extent of malpractices and corruption linked to the Chief Minister. This video has gone viral on social media and the internet and the entire nation is now concerned that the revelations contained in the video must be addressed properly.

The video purportedly displayed two close family members of the Chief Minister speaking plainly on the methods by which they allegedly acquire land. Further, they also explain in vivid and convincing detail how they allegedly evade taxation on the acquisition of such land. Tellingly, they explain that “it has been done before”, making clear this is common practice that is losing Sarawak billions a year and explains Malaysia’s status as the world’s 3rd highest country for capital flight.

One of the family members referred to above explicitly says of the native customary land owners of Sarawak, “They are actually squatters on the land because the land doesn’t belong to them, it’s government land. So they’re squatting.” This candid statement, if true, is not only legally questionable but also morally despicable as she dismisses indigenous land rights and categorically generalises all indigenous folks as squatters living on state land.

The video further goes on to show lawyers who purportedly assist in the creating of instruments and mechanisms to effect such alleged malpractices.

This revelation is shocking in its candour and explicitness and on behalf of all right minded citizens of the state of Sarawak, I call upon the authorities to investigate this matter immediately especially when lawyers are shown to have revealed many practices that may have breached the laws of the country.

Most appropriately, the Chief Minister owes the state an explanation as he is being referred to in the video as the alleged main culprit behind these allegations of land grab, corruption, and tax evasion. If he chooses to remain silent, then he chooses to allow the public to make their own conclusions based on the evidences of a very candid video report released by Global Witness.